US 7,444,117 B2 · Wireless network system and communications method

Abstract

A wireless network system for enabling good communications, while minimizing the electricity consumption of a portable terminal, is described. Included are: a first relay device 4a including first and second Bluetooth® (BT) modules {circle around (1)} and {circle around (2)}. Each of the BT modules performs a cable communication irrespective of which is a master/slave. The system also includes a second relay device 4b including a fourth BT module {circle around (4)}; a wireless terminal 3 including a third BT module {circle around (3)}; and a wireless terminal 3 including a fifth BT module. The first and third BT modules structure a first piconet in which the first BT model {circle around (1)} is a master and the third BT module {circle around (3)} is a slave, and the second, fourth, and fifth BT modules structure a second Piconet in which the fourth BT module {circle around (4)} is a master, and the second and fifth BT modules {circle around (2)} and {circle around (5)} are slaves.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A wireless network system for use with two vehicles, said system comprising:

a first relay device including first and second Bluetooth® modules, each of the first and second Bluetooth® modules capable of performing a cable communication irrespective of which is a master or slave, wherein said relay device is configured to be mounted to a first vehicle of said two vehicles;
and
at least one first wireless terminal including a third Bluetooth® module,
wherein the first and third Bluetooth® modules structure a first piconet in which the first Bluetooth® module is a master, and the third Bluetooth® module is a slave,
the second Bluetooth® module structures a second piconet;
and wherein the first piconet and the second piconet structure a network,
a second relay device including a fourth Bluetooth® module, wherein said second relay is configured to be mounted to a second vehicle of said two vehicles;
and
at least one second wireless terminal including a fifth Bluetooth® module,
wherein the second, fourth, and fifth Bluetooth® modules structure a second piconet in which the fourth Bluetooth® module is a master, and the second and fifth Bluetooth® modules are slaves.

7 more elements

A wireless communications method in a wireless network system constructed by a plurality of Bluetooth® terminals for use on two vehicles, wherein the system comprises:

a first relay device including first and second Bluetooth® modules, each of the Bluetooth® modules performs a cable communication irrespective of which is a master/slave, wherein said first relay device is configured to be mounted to a first vehicle of said two vehicles, and
a second relay device including a fourth Bluetooth® module, said second relay device being configured to be mounted on a second vehicle of said two vehicles;
and
at least one first wireless terminal including a third Bluetooth® module, and at least one second wireless terminal including a fifth Bluetooth® module, and
in the method,
the first and third Bluetooth® modules communicate with each other on a first piconet in which the first Bluetooth® module is a master, and the third Bluetooth® module is a slave,
the second Bluetooth® module communicates with any one of the other Bluetooth® modules on a second piconet, and
the second, fourth, and fifth Bluetooth® modules communicate with one another on a second piconet in which the fourth Bluetooth® module is a master, and the second and fifth Bluetooth® modules are a slaves, and
the first piconet and the second piconet structure a network.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless network system and communications method

Life of this patent

Wireless network system and communications method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24